Wind forecast Crossgar today

Wind in Crossgar right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Crossgar

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 3 and 24 km/h (2 to 15 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 45 km/h (28 mph) at Mon 11:00. Speeds are in km/h with miles per hour underneath. Direction is where the wind comes from.

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Sat 10/10 with gusts to 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 19 km/h (12 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Crossgar

Crossgar, situated in County Down, experiences wind patterns typical of an inland location in Ulster. While not directly on the coast, its proximity to the Irish Sea and North Channel means it is influenced by weather systems moving across the region. Gusts will consistently exceed the mean wind speed, a characteristic of wind behaviour everywhere. The strongest winds in County Down generally come from the south-westerly and north-westerly directions, particularly during winter months. Coastal areas in the county can see mean 10 m wind speeds of approximately 5.5-7.5 m/s, while inland areas like Crossgar typically experience around 4-5.5 m/s, according to approximate ERA5-like data for the county. Early warnings for approaching fronts can often be gleaned from coastal stations and offshore buoys, which tend to register changes several hours before inland locations.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Crossgar generally follows that of County Down and Ireland as a whole. Winter typically brings the strongest winds, driven by Atlantic depressions. South-westerly and north-westerly winds are most prevalent and powerful during this season. As spring progresses, wind speeds tend to moderate, though strong gusts can still occur. Summer months generally see lighter winds, with the possibility of sea breezes developing on warmer afternoons, which can influence local conditions even several kilometres inland. Autumn often marks a transition back to stronger, more unsettled conditions, with increasing frequency of Atlantic weather systems. This seasonal variability means that wind conditions can change significantly throughout the year.

Exposure and shelter

Crossgar is located approximately 6 km from the coast, classifying it as an inland settlement. This position offers some degree of shelter compared to exposed coastal locations elsewhere in County Down. However, the terrain around Crossgar will dictate local exposure and shelter. Buildings and local topography can create localised areas of shelter from the prevailing wind direction, while open fields or elevated ground may experience more direct wind exposure. Funnelling effects, where wind is channelled through gaps in terrain or between structures, can also lead to localised increases in wind speed. While the county's dominant wind direction is SW, local features in Crossgar will modify how this is experienced on the ground.

Local uses of the wind forecast

For the agri-food sector in and around Crossgar, accurate wind forecasts are crucial for timing activities such as spraying and silage. Wind conditions affect spray drift and the drying of crops. Farmers rely on this information to optimise operations and minimise waste. For building and roofing, wind data helps in planning work, particularly at height, and securing materials. Walking and other outdoor activities benefit from knowing wind strength and direction for comfort and planning. While Crossgar is inland, those involved in sailing and marine leisure at nearby spots like Portaferry Harbour or Strangford Harbour will closely monitor wind forecasts for safety and planning their activities on the water. Wind chill is also a factor to consider for anyone working or recreating outdoors.

Near Crossgar

Crossgar is in Co. Down, one of 37 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (26 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (41 km) and Ballyhaise (108 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 94 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Crossgar

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